The Dwelling Place

I realized today that I’m pretty radical. I’m also very opinionated on these radical ideas. Basically, I think I’m right, and I think everyone else just doesn’t know the truth yet. Well, kind of. I know everyone can’t do the things David and I are doing, but I certainly think it’s a goal.

For example, I don’t want to have any debt. None. Zip. Zero.

I logically know that one day we will have a mortgage. I also know that it may not always be possible to have no debt, but that’s what I strive for. The bible says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

The only master I want in my life is God. If he says to move across the world and to tell others about Jesus, then I don’t want anything getting in the way.

We recently downsized to be a one car family. This is such an exciting thing for us. We no longer have a car payment! I never want to have a car payment EVER again. We’ve had a lot of support through this decision, but we’ve also had a lot of backlash. I believe that’s because it’s radical!

God is moving in our lives in ways I could not have ever imagined! If following him is radical, then that’s exactly what I want to be.

I hope you know the joy of doing something radical for Jesus, too!

Here is a link to a blog I love and read daily. This article is by a guest blogger, but there are many other articles on the site to help you make sound Godly financial decisions. I hope this helps! http://christianpf.com/money-talked-about-in-the-bible/

I’m stuck at home today with a pretty terrible cold. (Runny nose, eyes – the whole bit.) It really stinks.

I am thankful though. The Lord orchestrates everything in our lives, and I can see how he worked last week so I could be sick this week.

I’m paid hourly, and last week I worked 1.5 days more than normal. This week, I’ve taken 1.5 days off for being sick.

Praise God for his provision! He’s pretty cool.

As I was sitting with my eyes closed  and head bowed during a prayer on Sunday, I decided I was going to get pregnant this month.

I really wish it was that easy – that I could just decide and it would be true! It’s been four months, and nothing – yet. (At least I think it’s been four – it might have been five. I’ve lost track.)

It’s so hard to be patient for His timing.

A few weeks ago, I looked at our fireplace and realized I would like it better if we painted the mantle black. The white mantle worked, but it blended into the wall so much that it wasn’t the focal point it should be.

So, we painted it black!

Before:

After:

(Please ignore the painting supplies still on the floor.)

Doesn’t it look so much better!? I absolutely LOVE it.

I also need to thank my husband. Thank you David for dealing with my crazy decorating/painting whims! Without your help, support and willingness to let me experiment, our house wouldn’t be the way it is today!

These past two weeks have been the busiest of my life. Seriously.

With so much going on, David and I have been going to bed after midnight regularly, and we are quite exhausted. Please pray we would find time to rest this week.

Fortunately, we have absolutely NOTHING planned for this week, so hopefully, we will be able to slow down some and get the rest we need.

Even though it was a lot, we have been having so much fun! Here is a list of a few of the things we have been up to:

1. The bookstore I work for completed its first fiscal year. We did a physical inventory count, and ended the year in good shape. It’s been amazing to see how working at the bookstore provides so many ministry opportunities. Please pray customers would continue to share their lives with us. We love praying with/for them!
2. David’s mom, step-dad and brother came to visit for the 4th of July weekend. We had plans to go to the beach and even to a drive-in movie, but the weather kept us from our plans. We ended up hanging out a lot at the house, playing a game or two of Skip Bo and going to see fireworks on July 4. It was a lot of fun!
3. We celebrated our friend James’ birthday last Friday at Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. I had never been to Schlitterbahn, and it was a blast! We spent all day riding water slides, tube chutes and floating in the lazy river. That night we went to La Fogata in San Antonio, and it was perfect! The food was the perfect end to such a great day!
4. On Saturday, David and I drove through New Braunfels to eat lunch at the Gristmill. It was so good, and now I understand why people rave about this place! Built in an old cotton gin, this restaurant has awesome views of the river and trees along the bank, as well as great food! We also spent a few hours shopping in San Marcos at the outlet mall. We bought a few necessities, but we also got a few fun things as well!
5. My dad came to stay with us Saturday night through this morning. We took them to D’amico’s in Rice Village. They delivered great food as always. This is one of our favorite restaurants! Dad took us to an Astros game yesterday, and then we had ice cream at Amy’s. We also went to Truluck’s for dinner. I had never been there before, and the crab was GREAT! It’s definitely not a place we would go to often, but for a special occasion it’s perfect.

After such a long two weeks, my house is trashed. I haven’t had time to clean or even do laundry. So, today I plan on doing just that: cleaning and laundry. Once I get that done I will feel that I can finally wind down. It stresses me out to look around and see how cluttered it all is right now!

If you’ve been around the blogosphere, then you have probably seen this home. But if you haven’t, please click through and take a look around.

Warning: Viewing this site could inspire you to redecorate, thereby causing you to spend exorbitant amounts of money.

Young House Love

My favorite room is the living room by far. What’s your favorite?

We had some good friends over for dinner this evening. It was fantastic! David grilled chicken and vegetables on the new grill, which we are loving more and more. I never knew I would love having a grill so much!

I marinated the chicken in 1/2 Italian dressing and 1/2 soy sauce for about 4 hours in the refrigerator. This combination was suggested to me by a friend, and we happen to love it! The chicken turns out moist and flavorful every time!

Try it. Seriously.

I’m watching the movie Julie & Julia. It’s inspiring me to blog more! I’m not so good with keeping promises on a blog though. Ten years and about 40 blogs later, I still haven’t kept a blog for longer than a couple months! So, this time around, there are no promises. None. Zip. Zero.